Compositions comprising kakadu plum extract or acai berry extract

ABSTRACT

A topical skin care composition comprising kakadu plum extract or acai berry extract, or a combination of both, is disclosed. The composition can include a high oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value. The composition can improve the skin&#39;s visual appearance, physiological functions, clinical properties, and/or biophysical properties.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/624,985, filed Jan. 19, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/760,103, filed Jan. 19, 2006, U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/760,977, filed Jan. 20, 2006, andU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/760,979, filed Jan. 20, 2006.The contents of these applications are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to compositions that can be usedto improve the skin's visual appearance. In particular, the presentinvention concerns topical skin care compositions that include kakaduplum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) extract and/or acai berry extract(Euterpe oleracea).

B. Description of Related Art

With ageing, chronic exposure to adverse environmental factors, ormalnutrition, the visual appearance, physical properties, andphysiological functions of skin can change in ways that are consideredvisually undesirable. The most notable and obvious changes include thedevelopment of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, increasedsagging, loss of firmness, loss of color evenness or tone, coarsesurface texture, and mottled pigmentation. Less obvious, but measurablechanges which occur as skin ages or endures chronic environmental insultinclude a general reduction in cellular and tissue vitality, reductionin cell replication rates, reduced cutaneous blood flow, reducedmoisture content, accumulated errors in structure and function,alterations in the normal regulation of common biochemical pathways, anda reduction in the skin's ability to remodel and repair itself. Many ofthe alterations in appearance and function of the skin are caused bychanges in the outer epidermal layer of the skin, while others arecaused by changes in the lower dermis.

Several different approaches have been used to treat damaged skin causedby aging, environmental factors, chemicals, or malnutrition. Oneapproach involves the use of specific agents to directly stimulate orinhibit selected biochemical targets. Examples include the use ofretinoids to stimulate collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis byfibroblasts (Schiltz, et al., 1986). Another approach is to use agentsor processes that stimulate the rate at which the epidermis replacesitself, a process known as epidermal cell renewal. Increases inepidermal cell renewal rates usually result from a more rapid rate ofreplication of epidermal basal cells, and can be caused by diversestimuli such as chemical or physical injury, adverse environmentalconditions, or direct stimulators of basal cell division.

Some examples of chemical injury include allergic or non-allergiccontact irritation, pH extremes, or interaction of the stratum corneumwith household or industrial chemicals or pollutants. Physical injurycan include skin abrasion, friction (i.e. on the soles and heels of thefeet), or removal of the stratum corneum by physical exfoliation (i.e.cosmetic masks) or by tape stripping. Agents that directly or indirectlystimulate basal cell division include retinoids and barrier disrupters.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,963 discloses that a combination ofhydroxy acids, retinoids, and cerebrosides causes chronic injury to thestratum corneum and results in epidermal and dermal repair of thestructurally-deteriorated skin. U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,126, for example,uses a combination of surfactants and chelating agents to stimulate anendogenous stratum corneum chymotryptic proteinase that causes aloosening of corneocytes, resulting in an increased rate of epidermalreplacement and chronic anti-aging benefits. Adverse environmentalexposures that can result in more rapid epidermal turnover rates includeUVA, UVB, and IR radiation from the sun and cold coupled with lowrelative humidity (i.e. low dew point).

Several of the above methods have been shown to have various drawbacks,such as significant irritation to the skin or skin toxicity. Inaddition, most of these methods involve the invocation of chronic damageto the skin, which sets up repair mechanisms. For most of the existingtreatments, there will be a period of time, up to several weeks ormonths, during which the skin becomes irritated and after whichtolerance sets in and the symptoms of irritation may decrease and/orcease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes deficiencies in the art by providingcompositions that can be used in skin treatment applications. Thecompositions of the present invention can include kakadu plum extractand/or acai berry extract. Further, as shown in the figures and examples(which are incorporated into this section by reference), the inventorshave discovered that the combination of kakadu plum extract and acaiberry extract produce synergistic and complimentary effects that arebeneficial to skin.

In certain embodiments, the compositions are formulated into topicalskin care compositions. The compositions can be cosmetic compositions.In other aspects, the compositions can be included in a cosmeticvehicle. Non-limiting examples of cosmetic vehicles are disclosed inother sections of this specification and are known to those of skill inthe art. Examples of cosmetic vehicles include emulsions (e.g.,oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions), creams, lotions, solutions(e.g., aqueous or hydro-alcoholic solutions), anhydrous bases (e.g.,lipstick or a powder), gels, and ointments. In other non-limitingembodiments, the compositions of the present invention can be includedin anti-aging, cleansing, or moisturizing products. The compositions canalso be formulated for topical skin application at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, or more times a day during use. In other aspects of the presentinvention, compositions can be storage stable or color stable, or both.It is also contemplated that the viscosity of the composition can beselected to achieve a desired result (e.g., depending on the type ofcomposition desired, the viscosity of such composition can be from about1 cps to well over 1 million cps or any range or integer derivabletherein (e.g., 2 cps, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70,80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000,4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000,60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000,600000, 700000, 800000, 900000, 1000000 cps, etc.).

The compositions of the present invention can include from about 0.001%to about 50%, by weight, of kakadu plum extract and/or acai berryextract. It should be recognized, however, that the amount of kakaduplum extract and/or acai berry extract in a composition can be modifiedbelow, within, or above this range based on the desired results.Therefore, the amount of kakadu plum extract and/or acai berry extractcan include less than 0.001%. In other aspects, the compositions caninclude 0.002, 0.003, 0.004 . . . 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,95, 96, 97, 98, 99%, or more or, or any range derivable therein, byweight or volume of kakadu plum extract and/or acai berry extract.

The compositions of the present invention can also be modified to have adesired oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value. In certainnon-limiting aspects, the compositions of the present invention, kakaduplum extract, and/or acai berry extract can be modified to have an ORACvalue per mg of at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000,10000, 15000, 20000, 30000, 50000, 100000 or more or any range derivabletherein.

In other non-limiting aspects of the present invention, the compositionscan further include a vitamin, a mineral, an essential fatty acid, anamino acid, a flavonoid, and/or a protein, or a combination thereof.Non-limiting examples of vitamins include the B vitamins (e.g., B1, B2,B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid), vitamin C,vitamin D, vitamin E (e.g., tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate), vitamin A(e.g., palmitate, retinyl palmitate, or retinoic acid), and vitamin K.Non-limiting examples of minerals include iron, potassium, phosphorus,magnesium, manganese, selenium, and calcium. Non-limiting examples ofessential fatty acids include Omega 3 (linolenic acid), Omega 6(linoleic acid) and Omega 9 (oleic acid) essential fatty acid, or acombination thereof. Non-limiting examples of amino acids includeessential amino acids (e.g., lysine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine,phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, histidine, or arginine)and non-essential amino acids (e.g., serine, asparagine, glutamine,aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, cysteine, glycine, orproline). Non-limiting examples of flavonoids include anthocyanincompounds (e.g., cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside).

The compositions in non-limiting aspects can have a pH of about 6 toabout 9. In other aspects, the pH can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, or 14. The compositions can include a triglyceride.Non-limiting examples include small, medium, and large chaintriglycerides. In certain aspects, the triglyceride is a medium chaintriglyceride (e.g., caprylic capric triglyceride). The compositions canalso include preservatives. Non-limiting examples of preservativesinclude methylparaben, propylparaben, or a mixture of methylparaben andpropylparaben.

The compositions can also include an essential oil. Non-limitingexamples of essential oils are those described in the specification andthose known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Examples includesesame oil, macadamia nut oil, tea tree oil, evening primrose oil,Spanish sage oil, Spanish rosemary oil, Coriander oil, Thyme oil, orPimento berries oil. In certain aspects, the compositions do not includea non-volatile oil. The compositions can include thickening agents an/orsurfactants.

Also disclosed is a method of treating or preventing a skin conditioncomprising topical application of a composition comprising a high ORACvalue, kakadu plum extract, and/or acai berry extract, wherein thetopical application of the composition treats the skin condition.Non-limiting examples of skin conditions include pruritus, spider veins,lentigo, age spots, senile purpura, keratosis, melasma, blotches, finelines or wrinkles, nodules, sun damaged skin, dermatitis (including, butnot limited to seborrheic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, contactdermatitis, atopic dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, perioraldermatitis, and stasis dermatitis), psoriasis, folliculitis, rosacea,acne, impetigo, erysipelas, erythrasma, eczema, and other inflammatoryskin conditions. In certain non-limiting aspects, the skin condition canbe caused by exposure to UV light, age, irradiation, chronic sunexposure, environmental pollutants, air pollution, wind, cold, heat,chemicals, disease pathologies, smoking, or lack of nutrition. The skincan be facial skin or non-facial skin (e.g., arms, legs, hands, chest,back, feet, etc.). The method can further comprise identifying a personin need of skin treatment. The person can be a male or female. The ageof the person can be at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25,30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or more yearsold, or any range derivable therein. The method can also includetopically applying an amount effective to: increase the stratum corneumturnover rate of the skin; increase collagen synthesis in fibroblasts;increase cellular anti-oxidant defense mechanisms (e.g., exogenousadditions of anti-oxidants can bolster, replenish, or prevent the lossof cellular antioxidants such as catalase and glutathione in skin cells(e.g., keratinocytes, melanocytes, langerhans cells, etc.) which willreduce or prevent oxidative damage to the skin, cellular, proteins, andlipids); inhibit melanin production in melanocytes; reduce or preventoxidative damage to skin (including reducing the amount lipid peroxidesand/or protein oxidation in the skin).

In certain embodiments, compositions of the present invention candecrease the amount of internal oxidation and/or external oxidativedamage in a cell. In other aspects, the compositions can increasecollagen synthesis in a cell. The compositions can also reduce skininflammation, such as by reducing inflammatory cytokine production in acell. Non-limiting examples of such cells include human epidermalkeratinocyte, human fibroblast dermal cell, human melanocytes, threedimensional human cell-derived in vitro tissue equivalents comprisinghuman keratinocytes, human fibroblasts, or human melanocytes, or anycombination thereof (e.g., combination of human keratinocytes and humanfibroblasts or a combination of human keratinocytes and humanmelanocytes).

Also disclosed is a method of lightening skin or evening skin tonecomprising applying the compositions of the present invention to theskin. The method can further comprise identify a person in need oflightening skin or evening skin tone. The methods can further includeinhibiting melanogenesis in a skin cell, inhibiting tyrosinase ortyrosinase synthesis in a skin cell, or inhibiting melanin transport tokeratinocytes in a skin cell. The composition can act as an alphamelanin stimulatory hormone antagonist. The composition can even outpigmentation of the skin. In non-limiting aspect, lightening skin caninclude reducing the appearance of an age spot, a skin discoloration, ora freckle.

Also disclosed is a method of treating hyperpigmentation comprisingapplying the compositions of the present invention to the skin. Themethod can also comprise identifying a person in need of treatinghyperpigmentation. Additional methods contemplated by the inventorinclude methods for reducing the appearance of an age spot, a skindiscoloration, or a freckle, reducing or preventing the appearance offine lines or wrinkles in skin, or increasing the firmness of skin.

Compositions comprising both kakadu plum extract and acai berry extractcan produce synergistic effects. For example, the two extracts can worktogether synergistically to produce effects that exceed the effects ofwhat would be expected if the extracts were used in separatecompositions. Non-limiting synergistic effects include the reduction ofinternal or external oxidative damage, increased collagen production,reduction in inflammatory responses and the inhibition of melanogenesis.

Compositions comprising both kakadu plum extract and acai berry extractcan also act in a complementary fashion. For example, kakadu plumextract can reduce inflammatory responses (e.g., the reduction ofinflammatory cytokine production) by certain cytokines that are notreduced, or not as significantly reduced, by acai berry extract, andvice-versa.

Also contemplated are kits that includes the compositions of the presentinvention. In certain embodiments, the composition is comprised in acontainer. The container can be a bottle, dispenser, or package. Thecontainer can dispense a pre-determined amount of the composition. Incertain aspects, the compositions is dispensed in a spray, dollop, orliquid. The container can include indicia on its surface. The indiciacan be a word, an abbreviation, a picture, or a symbol.

Also contemplated is a product comprising a composition of the presentinvention. In non-limiting aspects, the product can be a cosmeticproduct. The cosmetic product can be those described in other sectionsof this specification or those known to a person of skill in the art.Non-limiting examples of products include a moisturizer, a cream, alotion, a skin softener, a foundation, a night cream, a lipstick, acleanser, a toner, a sunscreen, a mask, or an anti-aging product.

It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specificationcan be implemented with respect to any method or composition of theinvention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions of the inventioncan be used to achieve methods of the invention.

A “non-volatile oil” includes those substance that will not evaporate atordinary or room temperature.

The terms “mixture,” “mix,” and “mixing” or any variants of these terms,when used in the claims and/or specification includes, stirring,blending, dispersing, milling, homogenizing, and other similar methods.The mixing of the components or ingredients of the disclosedcompositions can form into a solution. In other embodiments, themixtures may not form a solution. The ingredients/components can alsoexist as undissolved colloidal suspensions.

The term “about” or “approximately” are defined as being close to asunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limitingembodiment the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%,more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.

The terms “inhibiting” or “reducing” or any variation of these terms,when used in the claims and/or the specification includes any measurabledecrease or complete inhibition to achieve a desired result.

The term “effective,” as that term is used in the specification and/orclaims, means adequate to accomplish a desired, expected, or intendedresult.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.”

The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unlessexplicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternativesare mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definitionthat refers to only alternatives and “and/or.”

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (andany form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having”(and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and anyform of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing”(and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) areinclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and the examples,while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by wayof illustration only. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and areincluded to further demonstrate certain aspects of the presentinvention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one ormore of these drawings in combination with the detailed description ofspecific embodiments presented below.

FIG. 1. Anti-oxidant effects of kakadu plum extract on human epidermalkeratinocytes. E stands for external antioxidant according to the assay(External meaning is able to reduce oxidation that is introducedexogenously). 1% is volume per volume of the Kakadu diluted in water.The original liquid extract is listed at 20-30% W/W with 10-20%denatured alcohol and >50% 1,3 butylene glycol. A 10% stock of thisextract was prepared by dilution is water (2-3% fruit extract) which wasfurther diluted in the assay to 1.0% and 0.1% (0.2-0.3% and 0.02-0.03%kakadu fruit extract, based upon the amount in the original extract).

FIG. 2. Collagen production in dermal cells as influenced by exposure tokakadu plum extract. Similar to FIG. 1, the original liquid extract islisted at 20-30% W/W with 10-20% denatured alcohol and >50% 1,3 butyleneglycol. A 10% stock of this extract was prepared by dilution is water(2-3% fruit extract) which was further diluted in the assay to 1.0% and0.1% (0.2-0.3% and 0.02-0.03% kakadu fruit extract, based upon theamount in the original extract).

FIG. 3. Inflammatory profile regarding human epidermal keratinocytesexposed to kakadu plum extract.

FIG. 4. Anti-oxidant effects of acai berry extract with respect to humanepidermal keratinocytes. E stands for external antioxidant according tothe assay (External meaning is able to reduce oxidation that isintroduced exogenously). I stands for Internal which concerns theability to reduce endogenous oxidation, which is a result of metabolismin the cell. The original powder extract is 20-30% W/W with 70-80%carrier protein. The original dry powder extract was weighed at 100mg/ml w/v with 50:50 mix of water and 90% denatured alcohol to create a100× stock. For the assay, the resulting 100× stock was prepared bydilution in water to 1.0% and 0.1% (1.0 mg/ml and 0.1 mg/ml).

FIG. 5. Study of collagen production in dermal cells as influenced byexposure to acai berry extract. The original powder extract is 20-30%W/W with 70-80% carrier protein. The original dry powder extract wasweighed at 100mg/ml w/v with 50:50 mix of water and 90% denaturedalcohol to create a 100× stock. For the assay, the resulting 100× stockwas prepared by dilution in water to 1.0% and 0.1% (1.0 mg/ml and 0.1mg/ml).

FIG. 6. Inflammatory profile regarding human epidermal keratinocytesexposed to acai berry extract.

FIG. 7. Complementary inflammatory response profiles of kakadu plumextract and acai berry extract.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In today's image conscious society, people are continually looking for aproduct that can improve the visual appearance of their skin. Oftentimes, aged skin, uneven skin tone, or skin damaged by environmentalfactors such as UV light, chronic sun exposure, environmentalpollutants, chemicals, disease pathologies, or smoking, is associatedwith unattractive skin. Previous attempts to improve the visualappearance of skin has been shown to have various drawbacks such as skinirritation and prolonged recovery periods.

The present invention is an effective alternative to the use of retinoidcompounds or other compositions and ingredients currently used to treataged skin, environmentally-damaged skin, uneven skin tone, and otherskin conditions. In one non-limiting aspect, the present invention canbe used to improve the skin's visual appearance, physiologicalfunctions, clinical properties, or biophysical properties by providingkakadu plum extract and/or acai berry extract containing compositions.These and other aspect of the present invention are described in furtherdetail below.

A. Kakadu Plum Extract

Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana), also called Billygoat plum,Gubinge, or Murunga, is a flowing plant from the family Combretacae.Kakadu plum can be found in the tropical woodlands from northwesternAustralia to eastern Arnhem Land. This fruit has a high vitamin Cconcentration, containing up to 4000 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of fruit.Kakadu plum also has a high ORAC value. Kakadu plum also includesphytochemicals such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, and related compounds.These phytochemicals have antioxidant properties that have beenimplicated in cancer inhibition. Gallic acid has an antibacterial,antiviral and antifungul activities and also shows anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor, anti-mutigenic and anti-bronchodilatory activities. Ellagicacid has anti-carcinogenic effects against a wide range of carcinogensin many human tissues.

Kakadu plum extract is available commercially and can also be isolatedby a person of ordinary skill in the art using standard isolationtechniques. For instance, kakadu plum can be disrupted by mechanicalmeans which results in a puree. The puree is then processed to besubstantially free of impurities or undesired solids, e.g., stems. Thepuree can then poured into a shallow vessel and quickly exposed to lowtemperature, i.e., flash frozen, for example at −20° C. or lower,preferably under a vacuum for removal of water content (lyophilization).The resultant plum extract can then be used in the compositions of thepresent invention. Alternatively, U.S. Publication No. 2005/0163880,which is incorporated by reference, describes an additional non-limitingmethod of preparing kakadu plum powder. In summary, the method includes:disintegrating kakadu plum fruit; treating the disintegrated kakadu plummaterial with enzymes to at least partially digest the material; juicingthe kakadu plum material and drying the juice to produce a powder.

In other non-limiting aspects, the kakadu plum extract can further beenriched with ingredients that have beneficial properties for skin.Non-limiting examples of such ingredients include those listedthroughout this specification, including for, example, antioxidants,vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. In certain aspects, enriching thekakadu plum can increase the ORAC value of the kakadu plum extractand/or the compositions of the present invention.

B. Acai Berry Extract

Acai berries can be obtained from a species of a palm tree (Euterpeoleracea) that grows in the Amazon rain forests of Brazil. The fruit isborn in bunches of 3 to 8. The Acai berry contains vitamins, minerals,and essential fatty acids. This list includes vitamin B1, B2, and B3,vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, essentialfatty acids Omega 6 and Omega 9, all the essential amino acids,flavonoids and protein. Flavonoids found in the acai berry includeanthocyanins such as proanthrocyanadin, cyanidin-3-glucoside andcyanidin-3-rutinoside. Acai berries are also high in polyphenols. It hasalso been reported that acai berry has up to 33 times the antioxidantcontent as red wine grapes and has the highest ORAC value for any berry.

Acai berry extract is available commercially from a variety ofcompanies, including, for example, Global Laboratories and NHS LabsInc., Eagle, Id. Additionally, a person of ordinary skill in the artwould be able to isolate acai berry extract from whole acai berry byusing any suitable method known in the art. In one non-limiting example,acai berry can be disrupted by mechanical means which results in apuree. The puree is then processed to be substantially free ofimpurities or undesired solids, e.g., stems. The puree can then pouredinto a shallow vessel and quickly exposed to low temperature, i.e.,flash frozen, for example at −20° C. or lower, preferably under a vacuumfor removal of water content (lyophilization). The resultant berryextract can then be used in the compositions of the present invention.

In other non-limiting aspects, the acai berry extract can further beenriched with ingredients that have beneficial properties for skin.Non-limiting examples of such ingredients include those listedthroughout this specification, including for, example, antioxidants,vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. In certain aspects, enriching theacai berry can increase the ORAC value of the acai berry extract and/orthe compositions of the present invention.

C. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity

Oxygen Radical Absorption (or Absorbance) Capacity (ORAC) is an assaythat measures the antioxidant activity of an ingredient or composition.In essence, it can quantify the degree and length of time it takes toinhibit the action of an oxidizing agent such as oxygen radicals thatare known to cause damage cells (e.g., skin cells). The ORAC value ofthe kakadu plum extract, acai berry extract and compositions of thepresent invention can be determined by methods known to those ofordinary skill in the art (see U.S. Publication Nos. 2004/0109905 and2005/0163880; Cao et al. (1993)), all of which are incorporated byreference). In summary, the assay described in Cao et al. (1993)measures the ability of antioxidant compounds in test materials toinhibit the decline of B-phycoerythrm (B-PE) fluorescence that isinduced by a peroxyl radical generator, AAPH.

D. Compositions of the Present Invention

A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the compositions of thepresent invention can include any number of combinations of ingredients(e.g., kakadu plum extract, acai berry extract, sun blocking agents,acute or chronic moisturizing agents (including, e.g., humectants,occlusive agents, and agents that affect the natural moisturizationmechanisms of the skin), anti-oxidants, sunscreens having UVA and/or UVBprotection, emollients, anti-irritants, vitamins, trace metals,anti-microbial agents, botanical extracts, fragrances, dyes and coloringredients, structuring agents, emulsifiers, etc.). Although certainconcentration ranges of particular ingredients are indicated in othersections of the specification, it is also contemplated that in certainembodiments the concentrations of these and other ingredients can varybeyond those particular ranges. For example, in one-non-limiting aspect,a composition of the present invention can include at least about0.0001%, 0.0002%, 0.0003%, 0.0004%, 0.0005%, 0.0006%, 0.0007%, 0.0008%,0.0009%, 0.0010%, 0.0011%, 0.0012%, 0.0013%, 0.0014%, 0.0015%, 0.0016%,0.0017%, 0.0018%, 0.0019%, 0.0020%, 0.0021%, 0.0022%, 0.0023%, 0.0024%,0.0025%, 0.0026%, 0.0027%, 0.0028%, 0.0029%, 0.0030%, 0.0031%, 0.0032%,0.0033%, 0.0034%, 0.0035%, 0.0036%, 0.0037%, 0.0038%, 0.0039%, 0.0040%,0.0041%, 0.0042%, 0.0043%, 0.0044%, 0.0045%, 0.0046%, 0.0047%, 0.0048%,0.0049%, 0.0050%, 0.0051%, 0.0052%, 0.0053%, 0.0054%, 0.0055%, 0.0056%,0.0057%, 0.0058%, 0.0059%, 0.0060%, 0.0061%, 0.0062%, 0.0063%, 0.0064%,0.0065%, 0.0066%, 0.0067%, 0.0068%, 0.0069%, 0.0070%, 0.0071%, 0.0072%,0.0073%, 0.0074%, 0.0075%, 0.0076%, 0.0077%, 0.0078%, 0.0079%, 0.0080%,0.0081%, 0.0082%, 0.0083%, 0.0084%, 0.0085%, 0.0086%, 0.0087%, 0.0088%,0.0089%, 0.0090%, 0.0091%, 0.0092%, 0.0093%, 0.0094%, 0.0095%, 0.0096%,0.0097%, 0.0098%, 0.0099%, 0.0100%, 0.0200%, 0.0250%, 0.0275%, 0.0300%,0.0325%, 0.0350%, 0.0375%, 0.0400%, 0.0425%, 0.0450%, 0.0475%, 0.0500%,0.0525%, 0.0550%, 0.0575%, 0.0600%, 0.0625%, 0.0650%, 0.0675%, 0.0700%,0.0725%, 0.0750%, 0.0775%, 0.0800%, 0.0825%, 0.0850%, 0.0875%, 0.0900%,0.0925%, 0.0950%, 0.0975%, 0.1000%, 0.1250%, 0.1500%, 0.1750%, 0.2000%,0.2250%, 0.2500%, 0.2750%, 0.3000%, 0.3250%, 0.3500%, 0.3750%, 0.4000%,0.4250%, 0.4500%, 0.4750%, 0.5000%, 0.5250%, 0.0550%, 0.5750%, 0.6000%,0.6250%, 0.6500%, 0.6750%, 0.7000%, 0.7250%, 0.7500%, 0.7750%, 0.8000%,0.8250%, 0.8500%, 0.8750%, 0.9000%, 0.9250%, 0.9500%, 0.9750%, 1.0%,1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 1.8%, 1.9%, 2.0%, 2.1%, 2.2%,2.3%, 2.4%, 2.5%, 2.6%, 2.7%, 2.8%, 2.9%, 3.0%, 3.1%, 3.2%, 3.3%, 3.4%,3.5%, 3.6%, 3.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 4.0%, 4.1%, 4.2%, 4.3%, 4.4%, 4.5%, 4.6%,4.7%, 4.8%, 4.9%, 5.0%, 5.1%, 5.2%, 5.3%, 5.4%, 5.5%, 5.6%, 5.7%, 5.8%,5.9%, 6.0%, 6.1%, 6.2%, 6.3%, 6.4%, 6.5%, 6.6%, 6.7%, 6.8%, 6.9%, 7.0%,7.1%, 7.2%, 7.3%, 7.4%, 7.5%, 7.6%, 7.7%, 7.8%, 7.9%, 8.0%, 8.1%, 8.2%,8.3%, 8.4%, 8.5%, 8.6%, 8.7%, 8.8%, 8.9%, 9.0%, 9.1%, 9.2%, 9.3%, 9.4%,9.5%, 9.6%, 9.7%, 9.8%, 9.9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%,18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 35%,40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% or anyrange derivable therein, of at least one of the ingredients that arementioned throughout the specification and claims. In non-limitingaspects, the percentage can be calculated by weight or volume of thetotal composition. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that the concentrations can vary depending on the addition,substitution, and/or subtraction of ingredients in a given composition.

The disclosed compositions of the present invention may also includevarious antioxidants to retard oxidation of one or more components.Additionally, the prevention of the action of microorganisms can bebrought about by preservatives such as various antibacterial andantifungal agents, including but not limited to parabens (e.g.,methylparabens, propylparabens), chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid,thimerosal or combinations thereof.

E. Vehicles

The compositions of the present invention can be incorporated into alltypes of vehicles. Non-limiting examples of suitable vehicles includeemulsions (e.g., water-in-oil, water-in-oil-in-water, oil-in-water,oil-in-water-in-oil, oil-in-water-in-silicone emulsions), creams,lotions, solutions (both aqueous and hydro-alcoholic), anhydrous bases(such as lipsticks and powders), gels, and ointments or by other methodor any combination of the forgoing as would be known to one of ordinaryskill in the art (Remington's, 1990). Variations and other appropriatevehicles will be apparent to the skilled artisan and are appropriate foruse in the present invention. In certain aspects, it is important thatthe concentrations and combinations of the compounds, ingredients, andagents be selected in such a way that the combinations are chemicallycompatible and do not form complexes which precipitate from the finishedproduct.

It is also contemplated that ingredients identified throughout thisspecification, including but not limited to kakadu plum extract and/oracai berry extract, can be encapsulated for delivery to a target areasuch as skin. Non-limiting examples of encapsulation techniques includethe use of liposomes, vesicles, and/or nanoparticles (e.g.,biodegradable and non-biodegradable colloidal particles comprisingpolymeric materials in which the ingredient is trapped, encapsulated,and/or absorbed—examples include nanospheres and nanocapsules) that canbe used as delivery vehicles to deliver the ingredient to skin (see,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,398; U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,802; U.S. Pat. No.5,411,744; Kreuter 1998).

F. Cosmetic Products and Articles of Manufacture

The composition of the present invention can also be used in manycosmetic products including, but not limited to, sunscreen products,sunless skin tanning products, hair products, finger nail products,moisturizing creams, skin benefit creams and lotions, softeners, daylotions, gels, ointments, foundations, night creams, lipsticks,cleansers, toners, masks, or other known cosmetic products orapplications. Additionally, the cosmetic products can be formulated asleave-on or rinse-off products. In certain aspects, the compositions ofthe present invention are stand-alone products.

G. Additional Compounds, Agents, and Ingredients that Can be Used inCombination with the Present Compositions

Compositions of the present invention can include other beneficialagents and compounds such as, for example, sun blocking agents, acute orchronic moisturizing agents (including, e.g., humectants, occlusiveagents, and agents that affect the natural moisturization mechanisms ofthe skin), anti-oxidants, sunscreens having UVA and/or UVB protection,emollients, anti-irritants, vitamins, trace metals, anti-microbialagents, botanical extracts, fragrances, dyes and color ingredients,structuring agents, and/or emulsifiers (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,938).

1. Sunblock Agents

Sunblock agents that can be used in combination with the compositions ofthe present invention include chemical and physical sunblocks.Non-limiting examples of chemical sunblocks that can be used includepara-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), PABA esters (glyceryl PABA, amyldimethylPABA and octyldimethyl PABA), butyl PABA, ethyl PABA, ethyldihydroxypropyl PABA, benzophenones (oxybenzone, sulisobenzone,benzophenone, and benzophenone-1 through 12), cinnamates (and octylmethoxycinnamate, isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate, octylmethoxy cinnamate,cinoxate, diisopropyl methyl cinnamate, DEA-methoxycinnamate, ethyldiisopropylcinnamate, glyceryl octanoate dimethoxycinnamate and ethylmethoxycinnamate), cinnamate esters, salicylates (homomethyl salicylate,benzyl salicylate, glycol salicylate, isopropylbenzyl salicylate),anthranilates, ethyl urocanate, homosalate, and Parsol 1789.Non-limiting examples of physical sunblocks include, kaolin, talc,petrolatum and metal oxides (e.g., titanium dioxide and zinc oxide).

2. Moisturizing Agents

Non-limiting examples of moisturizing agents that can be used with thecompositions of the present invention include amino acids, chondroitinsulfate, diglycerin, erythritol, fructose, glucose, glycerin, glycerolpolymers, glycol, 1,2,6-hexaneftiol, honey, hyaluronic acid,hydrogenated honey, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, inositol, lactitol,maltitol, maltose, mannitol, natural moisturizing factor, PEG-15butanediol, polyglyceryl sorbitol, salts of pyrollidone carboxylic acid,potassium PCA, propylene glycol, sodium glucuronate, sodium PCA,sorbitol, sucrose, trehalose, urea, and xylitol.

Other examples include acetylated lanolin, acetylated lanolin alcohol,alanine, algae extract, aloe barbadensis, aloe-barbadensis extract, aloebarbadensis gel, althea officinalis extract, apricot (prunus armeniaca)kernel oil, arginine, arginine aspartate, arnica montana extract,aspartic acid, avocado (persea gratissima) oil, barrier sphingolipids,butyl alcohol, beeswax, behenyl alcohol, beta-sitosterol, birch (betulaalba) bark extract, borage (borago officinalis) extract, butcherbroom(ruscus aculeatus) extract, butylene glycol, calendula officinalisextract, calendula officinalis oil, candelilla (euphorbia cerifera) wax,canola oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cardamon (elettariacardamomum) oil, carnauba (copernicia cerifera) wax, carrot (daucuscarota sativa) oil, castor (ricinus communis) oil, ceramides, ceresin,ceteareth-5, ceteareth-12, ceteareth-20, cetearyl octanoate, ceteth-20,ceteth-24, cetyl acetate, cetyl octanoate, cetyl palmitate, chamomile(anthemis nobilis) oil, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, cholesterylhydroxystearate, citric acid, clary (salvia sclarea) oil, cocoa(theobroma cacao) butter, coco-caprylate/caprate, coconut (cocosnucifera) oil, collagen, collagen amino acids, corn (zea mays)oil, fattyacids, decyl oleate, dimethicone copolyol, dimethiconol, dioctyladipate, dioctyl succinate, dipentaerythrityl hexacaprylate/hexacaprate,DNA, erythritol, ethoxydiglycol, ethyl linoleate, eucalyptus globulusoil, evening primrose (oenothera biennis) oil, fatty acids, geraniummaculatum oil, glucosamine, glucose glutamate, glutamic acid,glycereth-26, glycerin, glycerol, glyceryl distearate, glycerylhydroxystearate, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl linoleate, glycerylmyristate, glyceryl oleate, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl stearate SE,glycine, glycol stearate, glycol stearate SE, glycosaminoglycans, grape(vitis vinifera) seed oil, hazel (corylus americana) nut oil, hazel(corylus avellana) nut oil, hexylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, hybridsafflower (carthamus tinctorius) oil, hydrogenated castor oil,hydrogenated coco-glycerides, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenatedlanolin, hydrogenated lecithin, hydrogenated palm glyceride,hydrogenated palm kernel oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenatedtallow glyceride, hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrolyzed collagen,hydrolyzed elastin, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, hydrolyzed keratin,hydrolyzed soy protein, hydroxylated lanolin, hydroxyproline, isocetylstearate, isocetyl stearoyl stearate, isodecyl oleate, isopropylisostearate, isopropyl lanolate, isopropyl myristate, isopropylpalmitate, isopropyl stearate, isostearamide DEA, isostearic acid,isostearyl lactate, isostearyl neopentanoate, jasmine (jasminumofficinale) oil, jojoba (buxus chinensis) oil, kelp, kukui (aleuritesmoluccana) nut oil, lactamide MEA, laneth-16, laneth-10 acetate,lanolin, lanolin acid, lanolin alcohol, lanolin oil, lanolin wax,lavender (lavandula angustifolia) oil, lecithin, lemon (citrus medicalimonum) oil, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, macadamia ternifolia nutoil, maltitol, matricaria (chamomilla recutita) oil, methyl glucosesesquistearate, methylsilanol PCA, mineral oil, mink oil, mortierellaoil, myristyl lactate, myristyl myristate, myristyl propionate,neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, octyldodecanol, octyldodecylmyristate, octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, octyl hydroxystearate, octylpalmitate, octyl salicylate, octyl stearate, oleic acid, olive (oleaeuropaea) oil, orange (citrus aurantium dulcis) oil, palm (elaeisguineensis) oil, palmitic acid, pantethine, panthenol, panthenyl ethylether, paraffin, PCA, peach (prunus persica) kernel oil, peanut (arachishypogaea) oil, PEG-8 C12-18 ester, PEG-15 cocamine, PEG-150 distearate,PEG-60 glyceryl isostearate, PEG-5 glyceryl stearate, PEG-30 glycerylstearate, PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil,PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate,PEG40 sorbitan peroleate, PEG-5 soy sterol, PEG-10 soy sterol, PEG-2stearate, PEG-8 stearate, PEG-20 stearate, PEG-32 stearate, PEG40stearate, PEG-50 stearate, PEG-100 stearate, PEG-150 stearate,pentadecalactone, peppermint (mentha piperita) oil, petrolatum,phospholipids, polyamino sugar condensate, polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate,polyquaternium-24, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60,polysorbate 80, polysorbate 85, potassium myristate, potassiumpalmitate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate,propylene glycol dioctanoate, propylene glycol dipelargonate, propyleneglycol laurate, propylene glycol stearate, propylene glycol stearate SE,PVP, pyridoxine dipalmitate, retinol, retinyl palmitate, rice (oryzasativa) bran oil, RNA, rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) oil, rose oil,safflower (carthamus tinctorius) oil, sage (salvia officinalis) oil,sandalwood (santalum album) oil, serine, serum protein, sesame (sesamumindicum) oil, shea butter (butyrospermum parkii), silk powder, sodiumchondroitin sulfate, sodium hyaluronate, sodium lactate, sodiumpalmitate, sodium PCA, sodium polyglutamate, soluble collagen, sorbitanlaurate, sorbitan oleate, sorbitan palmitate, sorbitan sesquioleate,sorbitan stearate, sorbitol, soybean (glycine soja) oil, sphingolipids,squalane, squalene, stearamide MEA-stearate, stearic acid, stearoxydimethicone, stearoxytrimethylsilane, stearyl alcohol, stearylglycyrrhetinate, stearyl heptanoate, stearyl stearate, sunflower(helianthus annuus) seed oil, sweet almond (prunus amygdalus dulcis)oil, synthetic beeswax, tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryllinoleate, tribehenin, tridecyl neopentanoate, tridecyl stearate,triethanolamine, tristearin, urea, vegetable oil, water, waxes, wheat(triticum vulgare) germ oil, and ylang ylang (cananga odorata) oil.

3. Antioxidants

Non-limiting examples of antioxidants that can be used with thecompositions of the present invention include acetyl cysteine, ascorbicacid polypeptide, ascorbyl dipalmitate, ascorbyl methylsilanolpectinate, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, BHA, BHT, t-butylhydroquinone, cysteine, cysteine HCl, diamylhydroquinone,di-t-butylhydroquinone, dicetyl thiodipropionate, dioleyl tocopherylmethylsilanol, disodium ascorbyl sulfate, distearyl thiodipropionate,ditridecyl thiodipropionate, dodecyl gallate, erythorbic acid, esters ofascorbic acid, ethyl ferulate, ferulic acid, gallic acid esters,hydroquinone, isooctyl thioglycolate, kojic acid, magnesium ascorbate,magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, methylsilanol ascorbate, natural botanicalanti-oxidants such as green tea or grape seed extracts,nordihydroguaiaretic acid, octyl gallate, phenylthioglycolic acid,potassium ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate, potassium sulfite, propylgallate, quinones, rosmarinic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium bisulfate,sodium erythorbate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, superoxidedismutase, sodium thioglycolate, sorbityl furfural, thiodiglycol,thiodiglycolamide, thiodiglycolic acid, thioglycolic acid, thiolacticacid, thiosalicylic acid, tocophereth-5, tocophereth-10, tocophereth-12,tocophereth-18, tocophereth-50, tocopherol, tocophersolan, tocopherylacetate, tocopheryl linoleate, tocopheryl nicotinate, tocopherylsuccinate, and tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite.

4. Structuring Agents

In other non-limiting aspects, the compositions of the present inventioncan include a structuring agent. Structuring agent, in certain aspects,assist in providing rheological characteristics to the composition tocontribute to the composition's stability. In other aspects, structuringagents can also function as an emulsifier or surfactant. Non-limitingexamples of structuring agents include stearic acid, palmitic acid,stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, stearic acid, palmiticacid, the polyethylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol having an averageof about 1 to about 21 ethylene oxide units, the polyethylene glycolether of cetyl alcohol having an average of about 1 to about 5 ethyleneoxide units, and mixtures thereof.

5. Emulsifiers

In certain aspects of the present invention, the compositions do notinclude an emulsifier. In other aspects, however, the compositions caninclude one or more emulsifiers. Emulsifiers can reduce the interfacialtension between phases and improve the formulation and stability of anemulsion. The emulsifiers can be nonionic, cationic, anionic, andzwitterionic emulsifiers (See McCutcheon's (1986); U.S. Pat. Nos.5,011,681; 4,421,769; 3,755,560). Non-limiting examples include estersof glycerin, esters of propylene glycol, fatty acid esters ofpolyethylene glycol, fatty acid esters of polypropylene glycol, estersof sorbitol, esters of sorbitan anhydrides, carboxylic acid copolymers,esters and ethers of glucose, ethoxylated ethers, ethoxylated alcohols,alkyl phosphates, polyoxyethylene fatty ether phosphates, fatty acidamides, acyl lactylates, soaps, TEA stearate, DEA oleth-3 phosphate,polyethylene glycol 20 sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20),polyethylene glycol 5 soya sterol, steareth-2, steareth-20, steareth-21,ceteareth-20, PPG-2 methyl glucose ether distearate, ceteth-10,polysorbate 80, cetyl phosphate, potassium cetyl phosphate,diethanolamine cetyl phosphate, polysorbate 60, glyceryl stearate,PEG-100 stearate, and mixtures thereof.

6. Silicone Containing Compounds

In non-limiting aspects, silicone containing compounds include anymember of a family of polymeric products whose molecular backbone ismade up of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms with side groupsattached to the silicon atoms. By varying the —Si—O— chain lengths, sidegroups, and crosslinking, silicones can be synthesized into a widevariety of materials. They can vary in consistency from liquid to gel tosolids.

The silicone containing compounds that can be used in the context of thepresent invention include those described in this specification or thoseknown to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Non-limiting examplesinclude silicone oils (e.g., volatile and non-volatile oils), gels, andsolids. In certain aspects, the silicon containing compounds includes asilicone oils such as a polyorganosiloxane. Non-limiting examples ofpolyorganosiloxanes include dimethicone, cyclomethicone,polysilicone-11, phenyl trimethicone, trimethylsilylamodimethicone,stearoxytrimethylsilane, or mixtures of these and other organosiloxanematerials in any given ratio in order to achieve the desired consistencyand application characteristics depending upon the intended application(e.g., to a particular area such as the skin, hair, or eyes). A“volatile silicone oil” includes a silicone oil have a low heat ofvaporization, i.e. normally less than about 50 cal per gram of siliconeoil. Non-limiting examples of volatile silicone oils include:cyclomethicones such as Dow Corning 344 Fluid, Dow Corning 345 Fluid,Dow Corning 244 Fluid, and Dow Corning 245 Fluid, Volatile Silicon 7207(Union Carbide Corp., Danbury, Conn.); low viscosity dimethicones, i.e.dimethicones having a viscosity of about 50 cst or less (e g.,dimethicones such as Dow Corning 200-0.5 cst Fluid). The Dow CorningFluids are available from Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Mich.Cyclomethicone and dimethicone are described in the Third Edition of theCTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (incorporated by reference) ascyclic dimethyl polysiloxane compounds and a mixture of fully methylatedlinear siloxane polymers end-blocked with trimethylsiloxy units,respectively. Other non-limiting volatile silicone oils that can be usedin the context of the present invention include those available fromGeneral Electric Co., Silicone Products Div., Waterford, N.Y. and SWSSilicones Div. of Stauffer Chemical Co., Adrian, Mich.

7. Essential Oils

Essential oils include oils derived from herbs, flowers, trees, andother plants. Such oils are typically present as tiny droplets betweenthe plant's cells, and can be extracted by several method known to thoseof skill in the art (e.g., steam distilled, enfleurage (i.e., extractionby using fat), maceration, solvent extraction, or mechanical pressing).When these types of oils are exposed to air they tend to evaporate(i.e., a volatile oil). As a result, many essential oils are colorless,but with age they can oxidize and become darker. Essential oils areinsoluble in water and are soluble in alcohol, ether, fixed oils(vegetal), and other organic solvents. Typical physical characteristicsfound in essential oils include boiling points that vary from about 160°to 240° C. and densities ranging from about 0.759 to about 1.096.

Essential oils typically are named by the plant from which the oil isfound. For example, rose oil or peppermint oil are derived from rose orpeppermint plants, respectively. Non-limiting examples of essential oilsthat can be used in the context of the present invention include sesameoil, macadamia nut oil, tea tree oil, evening primrose oil, Spanish sageoil, Spanish rosemary oil, coriander oil, thyme oil, pimento berriesoil, rose oil, anise oil, balsam oil, bergamot oil, rosewood oil, cedaroil, chamomile oil, sage oil, clary sage oil, clove oil, cypress oil,eucalyptus oil, fennel oil, sea fennel oil, frankincense oil, geraniumoil, ginger oil, grapefruit oil, jasmine oil, juniper oil, lavender oil,lemon oil, lemongrass oil, lime oil, mandarin oil, marjoram oil, myrrhoil, neroli oil, orange oil, patchouli oil, pepper oil, black pepperoil, petitgrain oil, pine oil, rose otto oil, rosemary oil, sandalwoodoil, spearmint oil, spikenard oil, vetiver oil, wintergreen oil, orylang ylang. Other essential oils known to those of skill in the art arealso contemplated as being useful within the context of the presentinvention.

8. Thickening Agents

Thickening agents, including thickener or gelling agents, includesubstances which that can increase the viscosity of a composition.Thickeners includes those that can increase the viscosity of acomposition without substantially modifying the efficacy of the activeingredient within the composition. Thickeners can also increase thestability of the compositions of the present invention. In certainaspects of the present invention, thickeners include hydrogenatedpolyisobutene or trihydroxystearin, or a mixture of both.

Non-limiting examples of additional thickening agents that can be usedin the context of the present invention include carboxylic acidpolymers, crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, polyacrylamide polymers,polysaccharides, and gums. Examples of carboxylic acid polymers includecrosslinked compounds containing one or more monomers derived fromacrylic acid, substituted acrylic acids, and salts and esters of theseacrylic acids and the substituted acrylic acids, wherein thecrosslinking agent contains two or more carbon-carbon double bonds andis derived from a polyhydric alcohol (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,087,445;4,509,949; 2,798,053; CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary,Fourth edition, 1991, pp. 12 and 80). Examples of commercially availablecarboxylic acid polymers include carbomers, which are homopolymers ofacrylic acid crosslinked with allyl ethers of sucrose or pentaerytritol(e.g., Carbopol™ 900 series from B. F. Goodrich).

Non-limiting examples of crosslinked polyacrylate polymers includecationic and nonionic polymers. Examples are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,100,660; 4,849,484; 4,835,206; 4,628,078; 4,599,379).

Non-limiting examples of polyacrylamide polymers (including nonionicpolyacrylamide polymers including substituted branched or unbranchedpolymers) include polyacrylamide, isoparaffin and laureth-7, multi-blockcopolymers of acrylamides and substituted acrylamides with acrylic acidsand substituted acrylic acids.

Non-limiting examples of polysaccharides include cellulose,carboxymethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose acetate propionatecarboxylate, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose,hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulosesulfate, and mixtures thereof. Another example is an alkyl substitutedcellulose where the hydroxy groups of the cellulose polymer ishydroxyalkylated (preferably hydroxy ethylated or hydroxypropylated) toform a hydroxyalkylated cellulose which is then further modified with aC₁₀ -C₃₀ straight chain or branched chain alkyl group through an etherlinkage. Typically these polymers are ethers of C₁₀-C₃₀ straight orbranched chain alcohols with hydroxyalkylcelluloses. Other usefulpolysaccharides include scleroglucans comprising a linear chain of (1-3)linked glucose units with a (1-6) linked glucose every three unit.

Non-limiting examples of gums that can be used with the presentinvention include acacia, agar, algin, alginic acid, ammonium alginate,amylopectin, calcium alginate, calcium carrageenan, carnitine,carrageenan, dextrin, gelatin, gellan gum, guar gum, guarhydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, hectorite, hyaluroinic acid, hydratedsilica, hydroxypropyl chitosan, hydroxypropyl guar, karaya gum, kelp,locust bean gum, natto gum, potassium alginate, potassium carrageenan,propylene glycol alginate, sclerotium gum, sodium carboyxmethyl dextran,sodium carrageenan, tragacanth gum, xanthan gum, and mixtures thereof.

9. Additional Compounds and Agents

Non-limiting examples of additional compounds and agents that can beused with the compositions of the present invention include, vitamins(e.g. A, B, C, D, E, and K), trace metals (e.g. zinc, calcium andselenium), anti-irritants (e.g. steroids and non-steroidalanti-inflammatories), botanical extracts (e.g. aloe vera, chamomile,cucumber extract, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and rosemary), dyes and coloringredients (e.g. D&C blue no. 4, D&C green no. 5, D&C orange no. 4, D&Cred no. 17, D&C red no. 33, D&C violet no. 2, D&C yellow no. 10, D&Cyellow no. 11, etc.), emollients (i.e. organic esters, fatty acids,lanolin and its derivatives, plant and animal oils and fats, and di- andtriglycerides), antimicrobial agents (e.g., triclosan and ethanol), andfragrances (natural and artificial).

H. Kits

The inventor also contemplates the use of a kits in certain aspects ofthe present invention. For example, any of the compositions, compounds,agents, or ingredients described in this specification may be includedin a kit. In a non-limiting example, a kit can include a topical skincare composition that includes kakadu plum extract, acai berry extract,or a combination of both.

Containers of the kits can include a bottle, dispenser, package,compartment, or other types of containers, into which a component may beplaced. The containers can dispense a pre-determined amount of thecomponent (e.g. compositions of the present invention). The compositioncan be dispensed in a spray, an aerosol, or in a liquid form orsemi-solid form. The containers can have spray, pump, or squeezemechanisms. The container can include indicia on its surface. Theindicia, for example, can be a word, a phrase, an abbreviation, apicture, or a symbol. The word or phrase can be “Mary Kay,” “cosmetic,”“sunscreen,” etc.

Where there is more than one component in the kit (they may be packagedtogether), the kit also will generally contain a second, third or otheradditional containers into which the additional components may beseparately placed. The kits of the present invention also can include acontainer housing the components in close confinement for commercialsale. Such containers may include injection or blow-molded plasticcontainers into which the desired bottles, dispensers, or packages areretained.

A kit can also include instructions for employing the kit components aswell the use of any other compositions, compounds, agents, ingredients,or objects not included in the kit. Instructions may include variationsthat can be implemented. For example, the instructions can include anexplanation of how to apply, use, and maintain the products orcompositions.

Examples

The following examples are included to demonstrate certain non-limitingaspects of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill inthe art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which followrepresent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in thepractice of the invention. However, those of skill in the art should, inlight of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can bemade in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain alike or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

Example 1 Kakadu Plum Extract Containing Compositions

Non-limiting examples of kakadu plum extract containing compositions ofthe present invention are described in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1* % Concentration Ingredient (by weight) Phase A Water 84.44Xanthum gum 0.1 M-paraben 0.15 P-paraben 0.1 Citric acid 0.01 Phase BCetyl alcohol 4.0 Glyceryl stearate + PEG 100 4.0 Octyl palmitate 4.0Dimethicone 1.0 Tocopheryl acetate 0.2 Phase C Kakadu plum extract 2.0*Sprinikle Xanthum gum in water and mix for 10 min. Subsequently, addall ingredients in phase A and heat to 70-75° C. Add all items in phaseB to separate beaker and heat to 70-75° C. Mix phases A and B at 70-75°C. Continue mixing and allow composition to cool to 30° C. Subsequently,add phase C ingredient while mixing.

TABLE 2* % Concentration Ingredient (by weight) Phase A Water 78.6M-paraben 0.2 P-paraben 0.1 Na2 EDTA 0.1 Shea butter 4.5 Petrolatum 4.5Glycerin 4.0 Propylene Glycol 2.0 Finsolve TN 2.0 Phase B Sepigel 3052.0 Phase C Kakadu plum extract 2.0 *Add ingredients in phase A tobeaker and heat to 70-75° C. while mixing. Subsequently, add the phase Bingredient with phase A and cool to 30° C. with mixing. Subsequently,add phase C ingredient while mixing.

Derivatives and modifications of these ingredients can be used assubstitutes. Additionally, other ingredients with similar physiologicalactivities are contemplated as being useful as substitutes or asadditional ingredients that can be used with the compositions of thepresent invention. It is also contemplated that the compositions of thepresent invention may include ingredients that do not substantiallyaffect the efficacy of the compositions. Such ingredients can be used,for example, to vary the appearance, taste, and/or smell of thecompositions of the present invention.

Example 2 Bioefficacy of Kakadu Plum Extract as an Anti-Oxidant

The ability of kakadu plum extract to act as an anti-oxidant wasevaluted in terms of its ability to (1) reduce existing internaloxidation in cells; and (2) reduce external oxidative damage to cells.

Peroxide Assay: Cellular peroxides are measured flow cytometricallyusing the peroxide-specific dye, 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA). DCFH-DA is initially non-fluorescent and is rapidlyconcentrated within living cells by an enzyme-dependent process.Following modification by cellular peroxides, this dye exhibits anintense green fluorescence when excited by laser light. Basal peroxideproduction, generated by normal cellular metabolism, will induce agradual development of low levels of peroxide-specific cellularfluorescence. As such, a measurement of this fluorescence without anytreatment can act as a negative control for comparative purposes.Furthermore, extracellular peroxides (i.e., H₂O₂, added exogenously) canreadily permeate the cell membrane and cause a rapid and dramaticincrease in the peroxide-specific fluorescence of the cell. This assaycan be used to characterize the effect of test articles on basalperoxide levels and/or the ability of extracellular peroxides toinfluence cellular peroxide levels. If the test article functions as anantioxidant, this assay can also be used to determine if the testarticle can permeate the cell membrane to quench intracellular peroxideor if it can only affect extracellular peroxide levels.

Human adult epidermal keratinocytes were cultured at 37° C. and 5.0% CO₂in standard growth medium. At 70-80% confluent, cells were removed fromplates using 0.025% Trypsin/EDTA. When the cells become rounded, theTrypsin/EDTA containing cells are removed from the culture dish andneutralized. Cells were centrifuged and the resulting pellet resuspendedin media to generate a single cell suspension. Cellular peroxides weremeasured cytometrically by loading cultured keratinocytes with DCFH-DA(10 mM final conc.). Cells were treated with increasing concentrationsof plant extract in triplicate followed with or without exogenousaddition of hydrogen peroxide (60 mM). The level of induced orun-induced cellular peroxide was analyzed. To confirm that antioxidantactivity of the cells could be adduced, positive controls for anantioxidant response using Trolox™ (an analog of vitamin E and a knownantioxidant) were employed. The peroxide-specific fluorescence of thecells was measured using a flow cytometer and the Mean FluorescenceIntensity (MFI). Debris was excluded from analysis using a gate createdon a dual-parameter light scattergram. These experiments were repeatedin triplicate, and the percent reduction of oxidative damage compared tountreated control was calculated (FIG. 1). Kakadu plum extract reducedoxidative damage from external insults.

Example 3 Collagen Production in Human Fibroblast Dermal Cells in thePresence of Kakadu Plum Extract

The ability of kakadu plum extract to increase collagen production inhuman fibroblast dermal cells was studied.

Collagen production protocol: Normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF)cells were grown to subconfluence from a frozen vial in tissue cultureflasks (T25's). Two confluent T25's were trypsinized, washed,resuspended to 16 mls and seeded heavily into a 96 well plate (200μl/well) (Columns 4-12 only). Cells were allowed to grow overnight oruntil the cells reached 100% confluence. Upon reaching confluence, thespent media was aspirated and 200 μl of fresh media with or withoutsamples of interest (in triplicate) were added. The liquid extract inFIG. 2 is 1.0% (20 μl of 100× stock) and 0.1% (2 μl of 100× stock)kakadu extract and was diluted into a final volume of 200 μl NHDF growthmedium (note that the liquid extract is listed at 20-30% W/W with 10-20%denatured alcohol and >50% 1,3 butylene glycol. A 10% stock of thisextract was prepared by dilution is water (2-3% fruit extract) which wasfurther diluted in the assay to 1.0% and 0.1% (0.2-0.3% and 0.02-0.03%kakadu fruit extract, based upon the amount in the original extract).One set of cells was treated with L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), an agentknown to increase collagen production, at a final concentration of 18μg/ml in triplicate as a positive control. Cells were incubated for 3days in the presence of the samples at 37° C./5%CO₂. Supernatants wereharvested and frozen at −80° C. until assayed with the ProcollagenPeptide (PIP) kit (Takara Bio Inc.), designed to measure procollagenpeptide in the range of 40 to 640 ng/ml. The cells in this system can beexpected to produce at least 3000 ng/ml of procollagen peptide (mediacontrol). Tissue culture supernatants need to be diluted 1:100 with thesample diluent included in the kit. The protocol supplied with the kitwas followed. Brief instructions are provided:

-   -   Allow plate to reach room temperature before opening the foil        package. Allow the supernatants to thaw to room temp. slowly.    -   Add 1 ml dH₂O to Vial 3: PIP Standard—Mix gently and allow to        stand at room temp. for 10 min. prior to use.    -   Add 11 ml H₂O to Vial 2: Antibody-POD Conjugate—Mix gently and        allow to stand at room temp. for 10 min. prior to use.    -   Prepare Standard curve as directed in protocol booklet.    -   Dilute all supernatants 1:40 with sample diluent (supplied with        kit).    -   Transfer 100 μl of POD conjugate/well with a multichannel pipet.        Subsequently add 20 μl of diluted standard or sample/well in        triplicate.    -   Incubate (covered) for 3 hours at 37° C.    -   Wash plate 4 times with 400 μl of wash solution (see protocol        booklet for complete washing instructions).    -   Add 100 μl substrate solution/well and incubate at room temp for        15 min.    -   Add 100 μl stop solution/well. Tap plate gently to mix.    -   Measure absorbance at 450 nm with a plate reader within 1 hour.    -   The standard curve is plotted using a 4 parameter curve fit. The        concentration of the procollagen peptide was determined from the        standard curve. The results from the standard curve must be        multiplied by the dilution factor to yield the total number of        ng/ml of the procollagen peptide.

Collagen production in dermal cells in the presence of 1% kakadu plumextract increased significantly compared to untreated control dermalcells (FIG. 2).

Example 4 Reducing Inflammation in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes UsingKakadu Plum Extract

The ability of kakadu plum extract to reduce inflammation in humanepidermal keratinocytes was studied using a cytokine array assay.

Cytokine array: Human epidermal keratinocytes were cultured to 70-80%confluency. The media in the plate was aspirated and 0.025% trypsin/EDTAwas added. When the cells became rounded, the culture dish was gentlytapped to release the cells. The trypsin/EDTA containing cells wereremoved from the culture dish and neutralized. Cells were centrifugedfor 5 min. at 180×g. The cells formed a pellet and the supernatant wasaspirated. The resulting pellet was resuspended in EpiLife™ media(Cascade Biologics). The cells were seeded in 6-well plates atapproximately 10-20% confluency. After the cells became approximately80% confluent, the media was aspirated and 1.0 ml of EpiLife™, alongwith phorbol 13-Myristate 12-acetate (“PMA”) (a known inducer ofinflammation) and the test article dilution were added to two replicatewells (i.e., 1.0% (100 μl of 100× stock) and 0.1% (10 μl of 100× stock)kakadu extract as prepared in paragraph [0034] above was diluted into afinal volume of 1 ml EpiLife Growth Medium). The media was gentlyswirled to ensure adequate mixing. In addition, 1.0 ml of EpiLife™ wasadded to the control wells, with and without additional PMA. The plateswere then incubated at 37±1° C. and 5.0±1% CO₂ for approximately 5 hoursafter dosing. Following this 5-hour incubation, all media was collectedin conical tubes and frozen at −70° C. and the frozen media wassubsequently shipped to the sponsor on dry ice. 16-pad FAST slidesarrayed in triplicate with 16 anti-cytokine antibodies plus experimentalcontrols were purchased from Whatman BioSciences.

On the day of the analysis, a 16-pad hybridization chamber was attachedto the slides, and the slides were placed into a FASTFrame (4 slides perframe) for processing. Arrays were blocked for 15 min. at room temp.using 70 ml S&S Protein Array Blocking buffer (Whatman Schleicher andScheull). Blocking buffer was removed and 70 ml of each supernatantsample was added to each array. Arrays were incubated for 3 hours atroom temp. with gentle agitation. Arrays were washed 3 times with TBS-T.Arrays were treated with 70 ml of an antibody cocktail, containing onebiotinylated antibody corresponding to each of the arrayed captureantibodies. Arrays were incubated for 1 hour at room temp. with gentleagitation. Arrays were washed 3 times with TBS-T. Arrays were incubatedwith 70 ml of a solution containing streptavidin-Cy5 conjugate for 1hour at room temp. with gentle agitation. Arrays were washed 3 timeswith TBS-T, quickly rinsed in de-ionized water, and dried.

Slides were imaged in a Perkin-Elmer ScanArray 4000 confocal fluorescentimaging system. Array images were saved as 16-bit TIF files, with 10micron pixel resolution. Images were analyzed using Imaging ResearchArrayVision software. Briefly, spot intensities were determined bysubtracting background signal. Spot replicates from each samplecondition were averaged and then compared to the appropriate controls.Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism were used for additional analysis anddata presentation.

The percent reduction in certain inflammatory cytokines can be seen inFIG. 3. While kakadu plum extract reduced the inflammatory responseassociated with several types of cytokines, the extract is particularlyeffective at reducing the inflammatory responses of IL-8 and IL-6. Inthis manner, then, the reduction in inflammatory responses as seen withkakadu plum extract and acai berry extract are complementary (see FIG.7).

Example 5 Non-Limiting Examples of Acai Berry Extract ContainingCompositions of the Present Invention

Non-limiting examples of kakadu plum extract containing compositions ofthe present invention are described in Tables 3 and 4.

TABLE 3* % Concentration Ingredient (by weight) Phase A Water 84.44Xanthum gum 0.1 M-paraben 0.15 P-paraben 0.1 Citric acid 0.01 Phase BCetyl alcohol 4.0 Glyceryl stearate + PEG 100 4.0 Octyl palmitate 4.0Dimethicone 1.0 Tocopheryl acetate 0.2 Phase C Acai berry extract 2.0*Sprinkle Xanthum gum in water and mix for 10 min. Subsequently, add allingredients in phase A and heat to 70-75° C. Add all items in phase B toseparate beaker and heat to 70-75° C. Mix phases A and B at 70-75° C.Continue mixing and allow composition to cool to 30° C. Subsequently,add phase C ingredient while mixing.

TABLE 4* % Concentration Ingredient (by weight) Phase A Water 78.6M-paraben 0.2 P-paraben 0.1 Na2 EDTA 0.1 Shea butter 4.5 Petrolatum 4.5Glycerin 4.0 Propylene Glycol 2.0 Finsolve TN 2.0 Phase B Sepigel 3052.0 Phase C Acai berry extract 2.0 *Add ingredients in phase A to beakerand heat to 70-75° C. while mixing. Subsequently, add the phase Bingredient with phase A and cool to 30° C. with mixing. Subsequently,add phase C ingredient while mixing.

Example 6 Bioefficacy of Acai Berry Extract: Action as an Anti-Oxidant

The ability of acai berry extract to act as an anti-oxidant was evalutedin terms of its ability to (1) reduce existing internal oxidation incells; and (2) reduce external oxidative damage to cells. The PeroxideAssay described in Example 2 was used, wherein H₂0₂, DCFH-DA dye andacai berry extract (in place of kakadu plum extract) were used in thesame amounts.

These experiments were repeated in triplicate, and the percent reductionof oxidative damage was calculated (FIG. 5). Acai berry extract reducesoxidative damage from both internal and external insults.

Example 7 Collagen Production in Human Fibroblast Dermal Cells in thePresence of Acai Berry Extract

The ability of acai berry extract to increase collagen production inhuman fibroblast dermal cells was studied. The collagen productionprotocol as described in Example 3 was employed, utilizing the sameamount of acai berry extract in place of the kakadu plum extract.

Collagen production in dermal cells in the presence of 1% acai berryextract increased significantly compared to control dermal cells (FIG.6), but less than the percent collagen produced in the presence of thesame amount of kakadu plum extract as shown in FIG. 2.

Example 8 Reducing Inflammation in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes UsingAcai Berry Extract

The ability of acai berry extract to reduce inflammation in humanepidermal keratinocytes was studied using a cytokine array assay. Thecytokine assay of Example 4 was employed, using acai berry extract inplace of kakadu plum extract.

The percent reduction of certain inflammatory cytokines can be seen inFIG. 6. While acai berry extract reduced the inflammatory responseassociated with several types of cytokines, the extract is particularlyeffective at reducing the inflammatory responses of IL-2 and ICAM-6. thereduction in inflammatory responses as seen with kakadu plum extract andacai berry extract are complementary (FIG. 7).

Example 9 Non-limiting Examples of Compositions of the Present InventionComprising Kakadu Plum Extract and Acai Berry Extract

Non-limiting examples of kakadu plum extract containing compositions ofthe present invention are described in Tables 5 and 6.

TABLE 5* % Concentration Ingredient (by weight) Phase A Water 84.44Xanthum gum 0.1 M-paraben 0.15 P-paraben 0.1 Citric acid 0.01 Phase BCetyl alcohol 4.0 Glyceryl stearate + PEG 400 4.0 Octyl palmitate 4.0Dimethicone 1.0 Tocopheryl acetate 0.2 Phase C Kakadu plum extract 1.0Acai berry extract 1.0 *Sprinikle Xanthum gum in water and mix for 10min. Subsequently, add all ingredients in phase A and heat to 70-75° C.Add all items in phase B to separate beaker and heat to 70-75° C. Mixphases A and B at 70-75° C. Continue mixing and allow composition tocool to 30° C. Subsequently, add phase C ingredient while mixing.

TABLE 6* % Concentration Ingredient (by weight) Phase A Water 78.6M-paraben 0.2 P-paraben 0.1 Na2 EDTA 0.1 Shea butter 4.5 Petrolatum 4.5Glycerin 4.0 Propylene Glycol 2.0 Finsolve TN 2.0 Phase B Sepigel 3052.0 Phase C Kakadu plum extract 1.0 Acai berry extract 1.0 *Addingredients in phase A to beaker and heat to 70-75° C. while mixing.Subsequently, add the phase B ingredient with phase A and cool to 30° C.with mixing. Subsequently, add phase C ingredient while mixing.

Example 10 Determining Efficacy of the Compositions of the PresentInvention

The efficacy of compositions of the present inventions can be determinedby methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The followingare non-limiting procedures that can be used in the context of thepresent invention. It should be recognized that other testing procedurescan be used, including, for example, objective and subjectiveprocedures.

Skin moisture/hydration can be measured by using impedance measurementswith the Nova Dermal Phase Meter. The impedance meter measures changesin skin moisture content. The outer layer of the skin has distinctelectrical properties. When skin is dry it conducts electricity verypoorly. As it becomes more hydrated increasing conductivity results.Consequently, changes in skin impedance (related to conductivity) can beused to assess changes in skin hydration. The unit can be calibratedaccording to instrument instructions for each testing day. A notation oftemperature and relative humidity can also be made. Subjects can beevaluated as follows: prior to measurement they can equilibrate in aroom with defined humidity (e.g., 30-50%) and temperature (e.g., 68-72C). Three separate impedance readings can be taken on each side of theface, recorded, and averaged. The T5 setting can be used on theimpedance meter which averages the impedance values of every fiveseconds application to the face. Changes can be reported withstatistical variance and significance.

Skin clarity and the reduction in freckles and age spots can beevaluated using a Minolta Chromometer. Changes in skin color can beassessed to determine irritation potential due to product treatmentusing the a* values of the Minolta Chroma Meter. The a* value measureschanges in skin color in the red region. This is used to determinewhether a composition is inducing irritation. The measurements can bemade on each side of the face and averaged, as left and right facialvalues. Skin clarity can also be measured using the Minolta Meter. Themeasurement is a combination of the a*, b, and L values of the MinoltaMeter and is related to skin brightness, and correlates well with skinsmoothness and hydration. Skin reading is taken as above. In onenon-limiting aspect, skin clarity can be described as L/C where C ischroma and is defined as (a²+b²)^(1/2).

Skin dryness, surface fine lines, skin smoothness, and skin tone can beevaluated with clinical grading techniques. For example, clinicalgrading of skin dryness can be determined by a five point standardKligman Scale: (0) skin is soft and moist; (1) skin appears normal withno visible dryness; (2) skin feels slightly dry to the touch with novisible flaking; (3) skin feels dry, tough, and has a whitish appearancewith some scaling; and (4) skin feels very dry, rough, and has a whitishappearance with scaling. Evaluations can be made independently by twoclinicians and averaged.

Clinical grading of skin tone can be performed via a ten point analognumerical scale: (10) even skin of uniform, pinkish brown color. Nodark, erythremic, or scaly patches upon examination with a hand heldmagnifying lens. Microtexture of the skin very uniform upon touch; (7)even skin tone observed without magnification. No scaly areas, butslight discolorations either due to pigmentation or erythema. Nodiscolorations more than 1 cm in diameter; (4) both skin discolorationand uneven texture easily noticeable. Slight scaliness. Skin rough tothe touch in some areas; and (1) uneven skin coloration and texture.Numerous areas of scaliness and discoloration, either hypopigmented,erythremic or dark spots. Large areas of uneven color more than 1 cm indiameter. Evaluations were made independently by two clinicians andaveraged.

Clinical grading of skin smoothness can be analyzed via a ten pointanalog numerical scale: (10) smooth, skin is moist and glistening, noresistance upon dragging finger across surface; (7) somewhat smooth,slight resistance; (4) rough, visibly altered, friction upon rubbing;and (1) rough, flaky, uneven surface. Evaluations were madeindependently by two clinicians and averaged.

Skin smoothness and wrinkle reduction can also be assessed visually byusing the methods disclosed in Packman et al. (1978). For example, ateach subject visit, the depth, shallowness and the total number ofsuperficial facial lines (SFLs) of each subject can be carefully scoredand recorded. A numerical score was obtained by multiplying a numberfactor times a depth/width/length factor. Scores are obtained for theeye area and mouth area (left and right sides) and added together as thetotal wrinkle score.

Skin firmness can be measured using a Hargens ballistometer, a devicethat evaluates the elasticity and firmness of the skin by dropping asmall body onto the skin and recording its first two rebound peaks. Theballistometry is a small lightweight probe with a relatively blunt tip(4 square mm-contact area) was used. The probe penetrates slightly intothe skin and results in measurements that are dependent upon theproperties of the outer layers of the skin, including the stratumcorneum and outer epidermis and some of the dermal layers.

Skin softness/suppleness can be evaluated using the Gas BearingElectrodynamometer, an instrument that measures the stress/strainproperties of the skin. The viscoelastic properties of skin correlatewith skin moisturization. Measurements can be obtained on thepredetermined site on the cheek area by attaching the probe to the skinsurface with double-stick tape. A force of approximately 3.5 gm can beapplied parallel to the skin surface and the skin displacement isaccurately measured. Skin suppleness can then be calculated and isexpressed as DSR (Dynamic Spring Rate in gm/mm).

The appearance of lines and wrinkles on the skin can be evaluated usingreplicas, which is the impression of the skin's surface. Silicone rubberlike material can be used. The replica can be analyzed by imageanalysis. Changes in the visibility of lines and wrinkles can beobjectively quantified via the taking of silicon replicas form thesubjects' face and analyzing the replicas image using a computer imageanalysis system. Replicas can be taken from the eye area and the neckarea, and photographed with a digital camera using a low angle incidencelighting. The digital images can be analyzed with an image processingprogram and the are of the replicas covered by wrinkles or fine lineswas determined.

The surface contour of the skin can be measured by using theprofilometer/Stylus method. This includes either shining a light ordragging a stylus across the replica surface. The vertical displacementof the stylus can be fed into a computer via a distance transducer, andafter scanning a fixed length of replica a cross-sectional analysis ofskin profile can be generated as a two-dimensional curve. This scan canbe repeated any number of times along a fix axis to generate a simulated3-D picture of the skin. Ten random sections of the replicas using thestylus technique can be obtained and combined to generate averagevalues. The values of interest include Ra which is the arithmetic meanof all roughness (height) values computed by integrating the profileheight relative to the mean profile height. Rt which is the maximumvertical distance between the highest peak and lowest trough, and Rzwhich is the mean peak amplitude minus the mean peak height. Values aregiven as a calibrated value in mm. Equipment should be standardizedprior to each use by scanning metal standards of know values. Ra Valuecan be computed by the following equation: R_(a)=Standardize roughness;l_(m)=the traverse (scan) length; and y=the absolute value of thelocation of the profile relative to the mean profile height (x-axis).

In other non-limiting aspects, the efficacy of the compositions of thepresent invention can be evaluated by using a skin analog, such as, forexample, MELANODERM™. Melanocytes, one of the cells in the skin analog,stain positively when exposed to L-dihydroxyphenyl alanine (L-DOPA), aprecursor of melanin. The skin analog, MELANODERM™, can be treated witha variety of bases containing the compositions and whitening agents ofthe present invention or with the base alone as a control.Alternatively, an untreated sample of the skin analog can be used as acontrol.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed in thisspecification can be made and executed without undue experimentation inlight of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods ofthis invention have been described in terms of particular embodiments,it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may beapplied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in thesequence of steps of the method described herein without departing fromthe concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, itwill be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically andphysiologically related may be substituted for the agents describedherein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All suchsimilar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in theart are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference.

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1. A topical skin care composition comprising: (a) Terminaliaferdinandiana extract or Euterpe oleracea extract; (b) an essential oil;and (c) a moisturizing agent, wherein the composition is formulated fortopical application to skin.
 2. The topical skin care composition ofclaim 1, wherein the essential oil is selected from the group consistingof lavender oil and rosemary oil.
 3. The topical skin care compositionof claim 2, wherein the moisturizing agent is selected from the groupconsisting of arginine and glycerin.
 4. The topical skin carecomposition of claim 3, wherein the composition further includes citricacid.
 5. The topical skin care composition of claim 4, wherein thecomposition further includes aloe-barbadensis extract.
 6. The topicalskin care composition of claim 3, wherein the composition furtherincludes apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed oil.
 7. Thetopical skin care composition of claim 6, wherein the compositionfurther includes xanthan gum and aloe-barbadensis extract.
 8. Thetopical skin care composition of claim 7, wherein the compositionfurther includes glyceryl stearate and stearyl alcohol.
 9. The topicalskin care composition of claim 1, wherein the composition includesTerminalia ferdinandiana extract.
 10. The topical skin care compositionof claim 1, wherein the composition includes Euterpe oleracea extract.11. The topical skin care composition of claim 1, wherein thecomposition includes Terminalia ferdinandiana extract and Euterpeoleracea extract.
 12. The topical skin care composition of claim 1,wherein the composition does not include a silicone-containing compound.13. A method of evening out a person's skin tone comprising applying thetopical skin care composition of claim 1 to skin in need thereof,wherein topical application of the composition evens out the person'sskin tone.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the essential oil isselected from the group consisting of lavender oil and rosemary oil. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the moisturizing agent is selected fromthe group consisting of arginine and glycerin.
 16. The method of claimcomposition of claim 15, wherein the composition further includes citricacid.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the composition furtherincludes apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed oil.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the composition further includes xanthan gumand aloe-barbadensis extract.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thecomposition further includes glyceryl stearate and stearyl alcohol. 20.The method of claim 13, wherein the composition does not include asilicone containing compound.